Mikey: Many rap fans thought the former 106 & Park Freestyle Friday champ had hung up his mic and retired, but Jin has actually been building a successful music and acting career in Hong Kong. In 2008, Jin released an all Cantonese language album, ABC, (produced by “Girls on the Dance Floor”‘s FM). And now Jin has a new English-language mixtape, called Say Something….that reflects his born-again Christian spirituality. (above: the first video “Angels”)

“Where can happiness come from? Money? Fame? Power? I guess it all depends on who you ask.. Here’s my testimony. I’ve never wanted less.. and never have I been more blessed. God, You are truly a loving Father. Thank You for showing me The Way…” – Jin

Download Jin’s Say Something mixtape and watch the trailer for Gallants, Jin’s first feature film role in Hong Kong and more…
after the jump….

“In a nutshell, I play a prick who thinks he’s a martial arts expert because he’s studied for a few years and won a few non-meaningful tournaments. I know, nothing like me at all. LOL.”– Jin

MissInfo: My cousins, C and M, are hardcore movie buffs who have camped out at the New York Asian Film Festival for the past week. They saw the US Premiere of Gallants, and gave me their reactions….

M: Anyone who loves martial arts movies will appreciate seeing masters from the 1970’s proving they still have all the skills. It’s a love letter to kung fu. Respect your elders because they can still take you to school.

C: If you were trying to compare Gallants to Kung Fu Hustle, it’s pretty low budget and not as FX driven or outrageous. Starring many super old school actors from the 60s and 70s: Bruce Leung *the beast” from Kung Fu Hustle, Chen Kuan-Tai (Shaw Brothers films regular), Chan Wai-Man, Lo Meng (who was one of the 5 Deadly Venoms), Teddy Robin (a former singer), and Susan Shaw (a former sexpot, lol).

M: Jin has a lot of face time in the film. He’s the son of the landlord who gives the kung fu masters a lifetime lease. His character is trying to steal the lease back so he can sell the land. He’s a member of the flashier martial arts club. In one scene where he’s working out and another where he’s sparring and he looks like he knows what he’s doing. We just kept laughing at his swagger and how he periodically breaks into English which also made people laugh. The humor is definitely on purpose. For example, Jin is ALWAYS wearing a neck brace and it is never explained. The end song by him is cool, too.

Yo Jin, keep it up, .At that time when you came out we werent ready for your style but as you can see, your time is now. Hiphop became Universal and being 1 demensional is not the only option. Hope to hear more like this, good to hear your still at it.

seen this nigga on worldstarhiphop. Sounds like EM a little but I’m liking that he changed his style a little. He can do it I believe him. When he freestyles he talks about real shit not ak’s and a chick suckn dick all the time. Mad PRops

Props to Jin. I ain’t mad at him. Shit, everybody’s gotta make a living somehow. And we all know how hard it is for an Asian emcee to make it in the game here in the US. With that being said, I can’t say I’m feeling his new music whatsoever. He was pretty exciting back in the day with his $50k battle wins and that time he dissed Miss Jones and Todd what’s his name for that racist shit. (Props to you, Info!) But I wish Jin would switch up his flow a bit. It gets boring and every song sounds the same. =/

on the real though, I was a huge fan of Jin in his 106 and Park days. I’m black, but it was refreshing to see a Chinese guy (by descent anyway) come through and destroy all his contestants. It felt like hip hop was truly universal because all you had to do was be nice on the mic. And that’s all I care about anyway. Jin in his day impressed me more than Eminem. real talk.

but it became clear that dude cannot write a rap song to save his life. There’s a big difference between being great at freestyling and being great at making dope tracks.

My exact sentiments…I agree…He’s doing just fine. And sometimes when we fall off the grid we find ourselves…and when we find ourselves…our true selves…we find God. Just my few cents for today. Thanks MissInfo for being that Hip Hop voice in the wilderness/concrete jungle.

I concur with Paulie Rhyme and Miss Info about his choice to further his career in his parents’ native tongue, in their native homeland. I can dig it,totally. I see it as a natural progression to become an ambassador for hip hop,in a land where it’s highly popular and respected,but never had an artist they could directly relate to. And he already had a few flicks under his belt….so,who knows? He could the next Rain.(Look it up,those who have no idea.Miss Info knows.*wink*)

actually, i think Jin’s first album and his second “Properganda” are pretty good. maybe if you had an open mind and listened you could appreciate some of it.
i’m a black guy and realize that hip-hop is worldwide, no need to hate on the Jin guy just because he is of Asian descent..if you spit thats all that matters in hip-hop.

also the “LEARN CHINESE” single he put out was prophetic in a way, look at the destroyed USA now — everybody gotta learn chinese lolol

I think it’s laughable that cats say Jin fell off, how do you define falling off when the dude is blowing up overseas, having multiple endorsement contracts, and acting in movies. Hate to know what your definition of “washed up”.